Feed additives not only lower methane emissions — they also enhance milk quality, new research shows.
Findings from the recently concluded ClimateMilk project, led by Associate Professor Nina Aagaard Poulsen at the Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, demonstrate that methane-reducing feed additives can be used in dairy production without negatively affecting milk composition—and may even improve its nutritional profile.
The project examined the effects of three specific feeding strategies: the use of Bovaer® (3-NOP), nitrate, and crushed rapeseed. Results showed that crushed rapeseed increased levels of unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E in milk, while Bovaer® significantly raised vitamin B12 content. Nitrate also contributed to a moderate increase in vitamin B2. None of the strategies caused notable changes to milk’s protein or mineral content.
Additionally, sensory tests of butter made from the milk of cows fed with Bovaer® showed that taste, texture, and shelf life remained unchanged—or were even improved.
The study confirms that microbial changes in the rumen, caused by the feed additives, do not impair milk’s functional qualities. The project therefore provides a strong scientific basis for new regulations that, since January 2025, require conventional dairy farms with more than 50 cows to reduce methane emissions by adjusting their feeding strategies.
Read more about the ClimateMilk project HERE
Photo: Fødevarestyrelsen
